One of man’s common sins is an overemphasis on self, its accomplishments, and its ways. However, what does it mean to engage in true biblical love? Paul tells us that “…charity vaunteth not itself…” (KJV, 1 Cor. 13:4). Here we see another word that is no longer used in modern language. As a result, a careful word study will prove to be helpful.
The Greek word translated vaunteth is perpereuomai which carries the meaning of bragging and boasting. In the context of 1 Corinthians 13, we see that the word is used negatively to speak of what love is not. Thus, we can see that when someone desires to love biblically, he will not be focused on himself. Instead, his attention will be diverted to another. We can also see that there will not be a concern with making oneself appear to be something special; instead, time, attention, and energy will be devoted to lifting up another.
As a result, if the Christian wants to grow in love, it is pertinent that the Christian seek to gain a biblical understanding of boasting, the problems it causes, and their solutions.
What happened in Corinth?
To gain a biblical understanding of boasting, one needs to spend some time in the book of 1 Corinthians. When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, it was during a time of disputes and immaturity. God had gifted the people with many speech gifts. However, we also read that Paul writes to them as being of the flesh rather than mature.
Paul says to the Corinthians, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” (1 Cor. 3:3-4). Embedded within 1 Corinthians 3:3-4 is a clear indication that the people were boasting about what they thought was right. Boasting caused great quarrels in the Corinthian church. While one boasted in following Paul, another boasted in following Apollos. Rather than love, it spurred hatred and division. Instead of being ministerial, things became adversarial.
The divisions within the church are clearly stated in the book of 1 Corinthians. Paul told them, “Now I bessech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing , and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). Paul did not waste time addressing the issues in the church. Ten verses into the letter, we read of the divisions, and in a sense, it forms a thesis for the whole letter. Paul needed to address the divisions and help the people find the way out.
One of the major issues that plagued the church was that they were divided over who they were following. Their boasting about their “leader” and direction in life also caused division which was not healthy. Therefore, Paul said, “…let no man glory in men…” (1 Cor. 3:21). While the immediate application would consist of the people boasting about their choice of Paul or Apollos, it can also be made to boasting in self. The Bible makes it clear that someone should not glory in himself. Man was created to give glory to God. When someone boasts about himself, he is robbing God of the glory due His name. Not only that, but he is not walking in the love that Paul commanded.
What to do?
The people had their eyes fixed on temporal matters. Instead, they should have seen God in their midst. Paul spoke of the work of himself and Apollos and stated that while one plants and another waters, it is God Who gives the increase. Thus, Paul looked beyond what he and Apollos were doing to God alone, Who should receive the glory.
Man must learn to take his eyes off of himself and turn them to God. God was the one who gave the seed the growth, and it was God alone Who could bring a dead sinner to life in Christ. Not only that, but Paul said, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me… I have laid the foundation…” (1 Cor. 3:10). Here we see Paul recognized whatever good he had done was by the grace of God.
Therefore, a necessary component in casting out boasting is for the Christian to recognize God’s work in his life. Boasting, by its very nature, is self-focused. Love, by its very nature, is others focused. Thus, the Christian will never learn to love as God loves when boasting is present.
What about the Philippians?
Turning to the book of Philippians can be helpful when discussing the topic of boasting. When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, there was division and discord in that church as well. Paul said, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory…” (Phil. 2:3). Vainglory is synonymous with boasting. Thus, the people in Philippi were entangled by a similar sin. They were glorying in themselves and their ways. As a result, there were disputes, and the people could not see eye to eye.
So what was Paul’s solution for them? Paul pointed them to Jesus. The most beneficial way to overcome sin and grow in holiness is to get to know Jesus. Paul said, “Look at Jesus and learn from the Savior.” Paul told them, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). Thus the people needed to let Christ have sway in their lives.
They were getting in the way of what Christ wanted to do. So they needed to deny themselves and let the mind of Christ take over. But what did the mind of Christ look like? Ultimately it looked like absolute surrender to the will of God marked by humility.
Paul starts by highlighting that Jesus is God and dwelled in heaven throughout all eternity. However, at a point in time, Jesus gave up His glory in humility and submission to God’s will when He came to earth. Next, Paul tells us that when Jesus came to earth, He came as One of no reputation. He was not born in a palace but in a manger. He did not dwell in Rome but in Nazareth. The list could go on. Nevertheless, we see the humility and submission to the Father’s will yet again.
Third, we see that Jesus came not to be served but to serve. To be a servant is to be others focused. Jesus has set the example, and the Christian is to go and do likewise. When Jesus was in the upper room with His disciples, and there was no servant to wash their feet, Jesus stooped low and wiped away the dirt from His disciple’s feet. While the instance of Jesus and the disciples in the upper room is often placed in the forefront, it must be noted that the whole of Jesus’ life was that of a servant.
Next, we read that Jesus was made a man. While this fact has already been alluded to in what was said previously, it must be stated directly. The humility and submission reach a near climax at this point. God became a man. The sovereign Creator of the universe took on flesh and will always be both God and man. This fact is absolutely remarkable and must be adequately appreciated through the Spirit’s help.
Finally, Jesus was obedient to the point of death, which consisted of death on a cross. Not only was Jesus obedient unto His dying breath. The word excruciating was derived from the pain that came from crucifixion. Thus, Jesus humbled himself under the will of God unto the point of an excruciating death.
Why is this important? The only way to stop boasting about self is to realize that there is more to life than self. Jesus came with His eyes fixed on the Father and His glory. He lived for the glory of God through humility and surrender. Thus, Jesus loved with the love of God.
Final prayer
Father, thank You for showing me how to love. Please help me to honor You in my love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.